Football Friday: Kamara, Interboro look to stay hot against Chi
Interboro running back Abu Kamara is on a pace to challenge the county single-season rushing record set last season by Ridley’s Tahir Mills, the Daily Times Player of the Year, with 2,519 yards.
Kamara has rushed for 1,389 yards and 18 touchdowns through six games, an average of 228.2 yards and three touchdowns per game. Next up is Chichester. Can he continue that torrid pace as the Del Val League kicks into high gear this weekend?
The same can be said for Chester. The Clippers have been putting up big numbers through six games. Chester is averaging 42.6 points per game on offense and the defense has been just as impressive. The Clippers have pitched five shutouts in six games. They’ve allowed just 1.7 points per game.
Here is a look at the top games this weekend, in the Del Val and elsewhere:
Friday
Upper Darby at Marple Newtown, 7
This was supposed to be a home game for the Royals (2-4, 2-2) but was moved to Marple Newtown due to field conditions at Upper Darby’s Memorial Stadium. The Royals have dropped two in a row and have scored just seven points in that span.
The Tigers (4-2, 3-2) are also looking to snap a two-game slide. Those two setbacks have been by a total of four points. MN lost to Springfield last week, 35-32, and dropped a 28-27 decision to Conestoga the week before.
Strath Haven at Ridley, 7
The Panthers (6-0, 4-0) look to stay tied with Garnet Valley for first place in the Central League when they visit Phil Marion Field. The Green Raiders (4-2, 3-1) also look to remain in the league championship hunt as well as the District 1 Class 6A playoff chase.
Strath Haven is coming off a 35-6 romp over Penncrest and has won the last four meetings between the teams. Ridley (4-2, 2-2) has back-to-back wins over Penncrest and Lower Merion and leads the all-time series, 22-13, according to havenfootball.net.
Springfield at Conestoga, 7
The Pioneers know how to win close games. They have three one-point victories in wins over Lower Merion (15-14), Haverford (15-14) and Marple Newtown (28-27). Conestoga used a solid defense and strong six-minute span in the second quarter to top Upper Darby last week, 20-7. Quarterback Peter Costigan threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score in the win over Upper Darby.
Freshman running back Brad Barber carried the ball 10 times for 108 yards and a touchdown as the Cougars snapped a three-game losing streak with a 35-32 victory over Marple Newtown. His 23-yard TD run with 6:30 to play in the game gave Springfield a 35-26 lead.
Saturday
Bonner & Prendergast at Neumann-Goretti, Noon
Sole possession of first place in the Catholic League Blue Division is at stake when the Friars (4-1, 3-0) take on the Saints at the South Philadelphia Super Site.
The Friars are coming off a 35-7 victory over Archbishop Ryan. Isaiah Session scored a pair of touchdowns and was in on four of the team’s 12 tackles for loss. Wykil Fowler picked off two passes and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Neumann-Goretti (3-1, 3-0) is the two-time division champion and has won three in a row since a 21-0 loss to Penn Charter in the season opener. The Saints are allowing 68 yards rushing and 141.5 yards of total offense per game.
Chester at Penn Wood, 11 a.m.
Freshman quarterback Jalen Harris continues to impress for the Clippers (6-0, 1-0). He has thrown for 1,323 yards and 22 touchdowns, while completing 70.9 percent of his passes. Cymeer Harris has been on the receiving end for 673 yards and 10 scores.
The Patriots (0-6) continue to struggle. Penn Wood has lost 17 games in a row dating back to the shortened spring season in 2019.
Chichester at Interboro, 11 a.m.
Kamara has been on quite a tear. In the last two weeks he’s rushed for 644 yards and nine touchdowns for the Bucs (4-2, 0-1). He had 335 yards and five scores in Interboro’s 35-24 victory over Kennett, and 309 yards and four TDs in a 50-21 win over Oxford the week before.
Chi (1-5, 0-1). Chi has been hurt by the injury bug and the Eagles’ offense has struggled to put points on the board. They have scored 20 points in their last four games, all losses.
